Bridget Compton is the co-founder and partner of Gecko. She is responsible for administrating the finances of the company, co-ordinates the logistics of the experiential education programmes and, most important, keeps Alana and Maya busy and happy. Born in New Zealand, lived and worked in England, Australia and New Zealand for many multi-national companies and has been living in Brazil since 1992. Has travelled through more than 30 countries during a period of almost ten years before making Brazil home. Over the years Bridget has acquired an interesting holistic and humanitarian view of societies and different cultures and traditions.

Julio Bin was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Has a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from Mackenzie University in Sao Paulo and a PGC in Marketing from Westminster University in London. Has worked for over ten years in the financial market mainly in marketing and communication. Travelled overseas over a five year period having Australia, New Zealand, England and Brazil as a temporary base. As a professional marketeer has had a broad range of experience in Brazil, England, The Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, USA and some Latin American countries. Looking for an interesting approach to integrate his professional history and his life style, decided to open Gecko Outdoor Consulting in 1999. An intensive experience in the not-for-profit sector and his extensive expertise had great influence to expand Gecko's product portfolio, leading to the creation of Gecko Social & Environmental.

Rogéria Taragano has a Master Degree in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh (USA), and she is also an Organizational Psychologist. Working as a HR professional for more than 15 years in the financial market was responsible for developing, implementing and directing Employee Relations area, Organizational Development, Satisfaction Survey, HR Strategic Planning, Wellness Program and Training & Development Projects. Spent four years living in Europe and five in the USA, where studied and focused on sustainability issues. Returned to Brazil in 2002 and decided for an entrepeneurial activity in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development, believing that these are major topics that can contribute for her country's progress. Inspired by that, Rogéria joined Gecko's team to create Gecko Social & Environmental.

associates

We often need some extra help in our projects. When this happens we add to our team people that can contribute on a job basis. They are independent consultants, professionals, students, etc., that join Gecko's team to maximise results.

Paola Ricci was born in São Paulo. Paola lived in Australia and studied in Canada for over 5 years graduating as Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Geography at McGill University. She also has a Diploma in Computer Graphics from the Institut de Création Artistique e de Recherche en Inforgraphie (ICARI) in Montreal.

Paola has traveled extensively through the Americas, Caribbean, Middle East, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Africa and has worked in sustainable development projects, webdesign, cinema and photography. Today she is an independent consultant for social and environmental projects. Her association with Gecko has a lot to do with her passion and determination to work for the preservation of our planet.

Born in São Paulo, Carolina has a university degree in Agronomy by the University of São Paulo (USP) and is also a experiential facilitator. Carol became interest in outdoor education in 1994 when participating in a seminar organized by Educo Colorado/USA. Since then she has dedicated her time to develop and implement experiential programs for children, teenagers and adults from poor communities to corporate environment.

Carol joined Gecko’s team in 1998 even before the company was officially opened and she has added since then her experience to our projects.

Born in Rio, Fernando Loureiro is what Brazilians call “carioca”. He has studied Graphic Design at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and worked for over 10 years in design and advertise agencies. He found his real passion working as rock climbing instructor. Since 2000 Fernando has worked to improve his experiential methodology as a high and low activities facilitator. In search for a better quality of life, moved to the country side of the São Paulo State and now enjoys both work and his son with more quality time. Fernando has been part of the Gecko family since he decided to create his own family beside Caroline. Since then he has actively contributed in the development of experiential programs and also as a computer designer.